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Chicken Adventure Begins

Our first step towards the 'homestead' lifestyle: CHICKENS.  J and I have been researching, reading books & articles, and saving a TON of info to our Pinterest board.  I know we are in for some surprises and troubles, but we are doing our best to head them off and avoid other peoples mistakes. (J is still trying to convince me that we need to start pigs this year.  I keep reminding him that is one of the PRIMARY mistakes other homesteaders have made: being too eager and getting in too deep, too fast). So, we start our garden and chickens this year - keeping our fingers crossed that we aren't putting them in poor locations.  The chickens are the first thing branching out into our additional 2 acres.  The coop and kennel are going at the outside, back corner of our fenced in yard.  Our coop is valiantly being made from old cabinets we picked up at the local Habitat for Humanity, Re-Store.  We intend to paint, add roof, prop up on legs, and insert some roosts. Our rese
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New Home - Idaho

J and I purchase our Idaho home Nov. 17 2016, and with help from everyone (Emily, Chris, Justi, and John's friend Joe in Colorado; A BUNCH of J's family in Idaho) we got everything moved in. The house has 4 bed, 3 bath, 3 living-room, plus a couple bonus unfinished rooms. We purchased 2 additional acres, which gives us a total of 3 acres.  We have quite a bit of work to do, as it is an older home and runs purely on electric (so we have no back up in the event of an outage).  Hopefully in the not too distant future we will get to try our hands at some farm animals : chickens, pigs, maybe a cow...a goat?  Who knows. Front View of our home 2 acres behind the house In preparation, we purchased an old Chevy Avalanche, an old red & white 2-horse trailer, and an old John Deer tractor/mower with snow blower attachment!  Budget demands we buy old/used. We are excited to get to know our new neighbors, get settled into our new jobs, and start working on our new home.  Fir

Coming Full Circle - Idaho

Life has run us around a bit, and we have enjoyed the journey.  As Facebook rather took over our lives in regards to blogging, I did not maintain my blog.  I find, however, that I enjoy coming back and reading my blog more than I like perusing old facebook posts.  So I begin again with blogging; for myself more than anything. We have managed, since my last post in 2012, to return home to Idaho.   We spent 5 great years in Colorado!  The kids grew up with the neighbors; McKenzie had horse riding lessons from a young lady named Carrie, in Longmont; she started playing flute in 2nd grade, and in 4th she switched to playing trumpet; Ethan started playing soccer, and Minecraft (video gamer in the making).  We got McKenzie a cat named Diamonds. We got a puppy who we named Ryder.  We got new appliances in the kitchen that I love (double oven, fridge with freezer drawer, etc)!  I mention them, because I am sad to have left them in Colorado.  We made great friends with our neighbors:  Pa

So, It's been awhile...

My life has been, well, mildly crazy.  It seems that I have very few hours in the day to accomplish work, family time, cleaning, cooking, prepping for bed, baths, bills...life.  (even if J does more than half of it). We are loving our new home...and I will someday send out new address cards - it will probably be combined with our Christmas card...if I get that out.  We have  great neighborhood full of friendly neighbors and kids for M and E to play with.  I love having MY home to decorate for the Holidays, and a home for inviting friends and family to for said holidays. M and E never stop changing and growing, and I can't get enough of them. (ok, some days, I've totally had enough, but in general...) M is doing so great in First grade; she is a SUPERB reader and truly enjoys learning.  She is still her shy self, but making friends and having fun.  Such attitude is attached to a 6 year old - such a suffering little soul she has!  She is still a total daddy's girl. Her

Happy Easter everybody!

curious

Yesterday, as I was driving home from work, I was pondering breast cancer.  A co-worker of mine was very recently diagnosed, had surgery, and is looking great. Thinking on this I wondered if breast cancer is on the rise, or is it simply more researched, recognized and diagnosed?  I would believe it was probably around in full force before technology made is so identifiable and curable - but that it wasn't so terribly fatal as all  that.  And if that is true, perhaps all the surgery, radiation and chemo aren't entirely necessary. Now  - disclaimer - I know this research saves lives, I know it is beneficial, and to those women who were saved they probably are not concerned with whether or not there is over-diagnosis, because their life (and all survivors) is worth that.  But what percentage would actually have had fatal results if not treated?  How many would have lived a healthy happy life if they never knew about it? Interestingly enough, this afternoon on my lunch break

Caught Bare Bottomed.

Yesterday I went to retrieve my kids from playing in the backyard with the neighbors....When I round the corner I behold my 5 year old daughter with her shorts baring her bottom to the 6 year old neighbor boy. Me:  M!  E!  It is time to go home. now! M:  E did it too! (while sheepishly pulling her shorts back up and E snaps his head around to look at me with big eyes and "O" mouth) WHY?